The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation supports the London premiere of Jonathan Harvey's orchestral and choral epic Weltethos. The performance will be given by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall as part of Ether 2012. Ether is Southbank Centre's annual festival of musical innovation, art, technology and cross-arts experimentation. Alongside the London premiere of Weltethos, highlights of the 2012 festival will include a night of music by John Cage, performances by percussionist Colin Currie, Michael Gordon, and Bill Morrison's Decasia.
Jonathan Harvey has a global reputation, particularly for his work in electro-acoustic music. He has received eight commissions from IRCAM and in 2007, the Giga-Hertz award for lifetime achievement in this field. Harvey has composed for most other genres and is particularly renowned for choral music. His work often reflects non-specific spirituality, blending eastern and western philosophies.